At the SEC's media days, Clowney told reporters Clemson's Tajh Boyd, Georgia's Aaron Murray and former Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson were all scared to go against him and the rest of the South Carolina defensive line.

Bryn Renner starts his third season at the helm of the Tar Heels offense August 29 against South Carolina. (AP Photo)

While Tajh Boyd is getting the questions at the ACC media days, North Carolina's Bryn Renner is getting the same questions with the Gamecocks the first test on the Tar Heels schedule when college football season kicks off August 29. Renner says he's used to being knocked around in his early days with the Tar Heels on the scout team.

“First off, he’s one of the most natural athletes I’ve seen play on the football field,” Renner told reporters. “But I’ve played against guys like Robert Quinn, Marvin Austin and Quinton Coples. I was actually scout team against those guys, so they were hitting me pretty hard my freshman year as a rookie when I was weighing 175 pounds.”

Renner said playing against them has taken some of the pressure off going up against Clowney, but he did credit Clowney with being one of college football's best athletes, if not the best.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to play a team like that,” Renner said. “I have not had the opportunity to play a top-10 team with the best player in the country. We’re going to see where we stack up. I know it’s been a huge motivation for us in the offseason.”

North Carolina hopes the presence of James Hurst at left tackle will slow down Clowney enough to give Renner time to operate.

“I’ve got 100 percent confidence in James Hurst,” Renner said. “He’s been with me for three years and he’s the best left tackle in the country. It’s going to be a great matchup. “I’m excited,” Renner said. “I’m a competitor just as everyone else is. To go against the best is a great opportunity. In order to get better, you have to play against the best.”

Renner, a fifth-year senior, said there have not been discussions on how to defend against Clowney.